survey Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a detailed critical inspection
study.
noun short descriptive summary (of events)
sketch; resume.
noun the act of looking or seeing or observing
sight; view.
- he tried to get a better view of it
- his survey of the battlefield was limited
verb consider in a comprehensive way
appraise.
- He appraised the situation carefully before acting
verb look over carefully or inspect
- He surveyed his new classmates
verb keep under surveillance
follow; surveil.
- The police had been following him for weeks but they could not prove his involvement in the bombing
verb hold a review (of troops)
review; go over.
verb make a survey of; for statistical purposes
verb plot a map of (land)

OF. surveoir, surveer; sur, sor, over, E. sur + veoir, veeir, to see, F. voir, L. videre. See Sur-, and Vision, and cf. Supervise.

imperfect & past participle Surveyed ; present participle & verbal noun Surveying

To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook; as, to stand on a hill, and survey the surrounding country.
Round he surveys and well might, where he stood, So high above. Milton.
To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
With such altered looks, . . . All pale and speechless, he surveyed me round. Dryden.
To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of; as, to survey a building in order to determine its value and exposure to loss by fire.
To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurments, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry; as, to survey land or a coast.
To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same. Eng. Jacob (Law Dict.).

Formerly accentuated universally on the last syllable, and still so accented by many speakers.

The act of surveying; a general view, as from above.
Under his proud survey the city lies. Sir J. Denham.
A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of all the parts or particulars of a thing, with a design to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality; as, a survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.
The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of, as any part of the earth's surface, whether land or water; also, a measured plan and description of any portion of country, or of a road or line through it. Syn. -- Review; retrospect; examination; prospect.